Since we entered the country in early June, we spent a week in Avalon. Afterward we docked in Marina Del Rey to affect boat repairs (replacing stainless gates, stanchions, lifelines, bow and stern pulpits). We enjoyed spending time with our buddy, Peter aka Pedro, whom we shared lots of time with in La Cruz just after our boat was bashed. After the boatyard finished with us, we headed back to Avalon where our dear friends John and Cathy joined us there via the Catalina Flyer and stayed aboard a few days. We hiked, ate and drank (in that order) until they departed on the Marina Del Rey Flyer back to the mainland from Isthmus, the West end of Catalina Island.

Just prior to our Catalina stint we traveled to Ventura (via car) to spend Father’s Day with our sons. In our family, Father’s Day is always some kind of crazy adventure. This year, the kids decided we would all trek to the top of the Topa-Topa mountains in upper Ojai. They are the huge mountains that provide a beautiful back drop in the Ventura County area with huge stratas across the face. In the winter, they get dustings of snow. I have no idea what the elevation is but let’s just say the trip was 18 miles round trip and took about 8 hours. Mike, Mike Jr., Devon, Andrea, Corey (their sweet Queensland Healer) and I thoroughly enjoyed the day and the view from the top. The guys enjoyed some Stone at the top as we rested. It’s always a good thing when Father’s Day ends safely in our family. We feasted at our favorite Mexican restaurant after we showered to build ourselves back up after the experience. Dinner was a welcome reward after the exhausting hike.

We completed our 3rd year of cruising on 7/3 as we entered Ventura Harbor on a gloomy and cold afternoon. It felt a little anticlimactic with the exception of Heather and Jim on Meerkat, happily waving and cheering us on. We have yet to have a full day of sunshine this month but I’m sure summer will be showing up sometime soon. It has been a treat to just spend time with those we love.

Where next? All I can say is that the adventure will continue as we have leased out our house once again. Loose plans are in the works but for now, we’ll just enjoy time at our homeport.